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Trespass_2

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Part 2 of the story of Black Hawk and the Sauk warriors as they attempt to reclaim their lands in Illinois and Wisconsin.

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Black Hawk

Part 2 - “home again”aCt 2: retUrning to the SaUK homeLanD - roCK riVer BaSin

time: aPriL 5 1832 DUSK PLaCe: northeaStern ioWa - JUSt north oF the roCK riVer’S FLoW in iLLinoiS

WHIRLING THUNDER

WE HAVE FINALLY MADE IT FATHER. WE HAVE 200 CANOES READY. IT WILL REQUIRE A FEW TRIPS.

BLACK HAWKYES. WE WILL HAVE OUR BRAVES ENTER FIRST. THEY ARE ARMED WITH BOW AND GUNS.

WHIRLING THUNDERSHOULD WE PAINT OUR FACES WITH WAR PAINT?

BLACK HAWKYES. WE SHOULD EXPECT WAR THE MOMENT WE ARE IN ILLINOIS. WE WILL LOSE WARRIORS.

WHIRLING THUNDERI’VE HEARD THAT GOVERNOR EDWARDS HAS 8000 MILITIA READY TO FIGHT SHOULD WE RETURN.

BLACK HAWKYES THAT IS TRUE; HOWEVER WE HAVE 500 GREAT SAUK WARRIORS WHO NO ONE CAN STOP. OUR 1500 WOMEN AND CHILDREN WILL BE WELL PROTECTED.

WHIRLING THUNDERSHOULD WE LEAVE SOME SCOUTS FROM THE REAR JUST IN CASE THE ILLINOIS MILITIA CIRCLES OUR TRIBE?

BLACK HAWKA GREAT IDEA, BUT I BELIEVE WHAT WITH THE ILLINOIS TROOPS DECIMATED BY CHOLERA, THE FIGHTING INITIALLY WILL BE MINIMAL. I WANT OUR BEST WARRIORS TO LEAD AND STOP ANY ATTACKS AGAINST OUR WOMEN AND CHILDREN.

WHIRLING THUNDERSHOULD WE TAKE ANY TEPEES, FOOD, OR CROPS WITH US ACROSS THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER?

Site of Bad Axe River Battle

Sauk & Fox Indians

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Depiction of the Bad Axe battle scene

BLACK HAWKNO, ONLY CROP CORN AND BEAN SEEDS. THE ROCK RIVER BASIN IS EXTREMELY FERTILE AS IS SAUKENUK, MY HOMELAND.

WHIRLING THUNDERWHAT IF THE WHITE MAN WANTS TO BECOME FRIENDLY?

BLACK HAWKTHIS MIGHT BE A FAKE MOVE, SO WE HAD BEST WARN THEM TO LEAVE US ALONE. I REMEMBER DISTINCTLY THE TREATY STATING UNTIL ALL THE LAND WAS OCCUPIED BY FARMERS, WE COULD STILL HUNT ALL THE LAND AND FARM WHAT WAS NOT CLAIMED BY AN AMERICAN TITLE.

WHIRLING THUNDERWHAT AGAIN WAS A TITLE TO LAND FATHER?

BLACK HAWKI DON’T UNDERSTAND IT WELL, BECAUSE IT DOESN’T EXIST IN OUR CULTURE. BY ENGLISH LAW OF THE WHITE MAN, ONE WHO WRITES ON A PIECE OF PAPER WITH THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT HAS A CLAIM TO POSSESSION AND OWNERSHIP TO THE LAND TO THE EXCLUSION OF OTHERS WHO LATER OCCUPY THE LAND. THE PAPER SIGNIFIES THAT THEY NOW OWN THE LAND TO THE EXCLUSION IN EVERY WAY AGAINST INDIANS AND EVEN OTHER WHITES.

WHIRLING THUNDERSO ALL ONE HAS TO DO IF YOU ARE A WHITE MAN IS STAKE OUT A SECTION OF LAND?

BLACK HAWKNOT EVEN THAT. MOST OF THE SECTIONS HAVE BEEN DRAWN ON PAPER BY THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT. THE WHITES HAVE USED OTHER BOUNDARIES, ROCKS, LAKES, TREES, OR SIGNS TO POST THEIR CLAIMS.

WHIRLING THUNDERTHE GREAT SPIRIT NEVER GAVE THE WHITE MEN THE LAND, CORRECT?

BLACK HAWKIN THE WHITE MAN’S TERMS, THIS IS CALLED A TRESPASS.

WHIRLING THUNDERA TRESPASS. THIS MUST MEAN THAT ONE IS OCCUPYING LAND THAT ANOTHER OWNS. IS THAT RIGHT?

BLACK HAWKABSOLUTELY. OUR GREAT SPIRIT ENDOWED OUR TRIBE

President Andrew Jackson

Lithograph of battle scene

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Black Hawk

WITH THESE LANDS. WE HAVE A CONTRACT WITH HIM AND NO ONE ELSE. WE DON’T HAVE ENGLISH PROPERTY LAW. THE WHITE SQUATTERS SAY THEIR CLAIMS ARE GREATER THAN THE GREAT SPIRIT OR ANY INDIAN TRIBE INCLUDING THE SAUK TRIBE. I STRONGLY DISAGREE, AS NO ONE IS STRONGER THAN THE GREAT SPIRIT.

WHIRLING THUNDERSO WHY DID KEOKUK SELL OUT TO THE WHITE MAN?

BLACK HAWKKEOKUK IS A LAZY MAN WITH AN UNMOTIVATED TRIBE. THEY TOOK THE CONCESSIONS AND ARE MOVING WEST TO MISSOURI AND BEYOND.

WHIRLING THUNDERSO FATHER, WHAT OF THE KICKAPOO, FOX, OTHER SAUK, WINNEBAGO, AND HO CHUNK TRIBES? ARE THEY BEING FORCED TO IOWA ALSO?

BLACK HAWKUNLESS WE FIGHT BACK, ALL THE TRIBES WILL BE FORCED TO MOVE TO IOWA OR TO OTHER LANDS BEYOND OUR HOMELANDS. I’M KNOWN AS TROUBLE FOR NOT AGREEING WITH ANDREW JACKSON’S INDIAN REMOVAL ACT OF 1830, THE PRIOR TREATIES, OR THE VERY IDEA OF MOVING TRIBES ANYWHERE. WHEN THE WHITE MAN FIRST CAME, INDIANS TREATED HIM WARMLY. WE AGREED TO A PEACEFUL COEXISTENCE.

WHIRLING THUNDERYES, THE ELDERS OF OUR TRIBE TALK ABOUT TRADING FURS, CORN SEEDS, JEWELRY AND GOLD FOR YEARS WITH THE WHITE MAN.

BLACK HAWKAS IT TURNS OUT THE WHITE MAN WAS ORIGINALLY VERY NICE. BUT THEN THEY BECAME A WARRING PARTY AGAINST OUR TRIBES. THE LAND WAS TOO VALUABLE FOR THEM NOT TO STEAL IT FROM OUR GRASP. WE HAD NO TITLE CLAIMS TO FILE AT THE ILLINOIS LAND OFFICE. IT IS NOT OUR CULTURE. THE GREAT SPIRIT AND INDIAN CULTURE AGREE THAT LAND IS NOT FOR SALE TO ANYONE. ONE DOES NOT HOWEVER, GIVE UP HIS RIGHTS TO THE LAND UNTIL HE WALKS AWAY FROM IT. WE HAVE NOT DONE THAT. WE WERE FORCED OFF THE TRIBAL LANDS OF OUR ANCESTORS - INCLUDING THE FOUNDER OF THE SAUK TRIBE, MUKATEQUET.

WHIRLING THUNDERSO YOU BELIEVE THAT REMOVING SOME WHITE MEN’S

Chief Shabona

US steamboat Warrior engages Indians in canoes, Bad Axe Crossing

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Depiction of the Bad Axe battle scene

SCALPS WILL CAUSE THEM TO RECONSIDER TAKING OUR LAND?

BLACK HAWKPOSSIBLY. WOULD YOU WANT TO FACE OUR WARRIORS?

WHIRLING THUNDERNO. AS GOOD AS OUR WARRIORS ARE WITH THE BOW, TOMAHAWK, AND KNIFE A WHITE MAN DOESN’T STAND A CHANCE.

BLACK HAWKUNLESS THE WHITE MAN HAS GUNS, CANNONS, AND OUT NUMBER US BY HUNDREDS.

WHIRLING THUNDERYOU’RE THINKING THEN THAT APRIL 5TH, WHEN THERE IS NO MOON IN THE SKY IS THE TIME FOR INVASION.

BLACK HAWKYES. IT IS SPRING, THE CHOLERA EPIDEMIC WILL PREVENT THE ILLINOIS MILITIA FROM GENERATING ANY KIND OF INITIAL RESPONSE, AND THEY MAY JUST LEAVE US ALONE IN THE ROCK RIVER BASIN IF WE REMOVE A FEW SCALPS. TONIGHT IS THE NIGHT. THE WEATHER IS PERFECT.

WHIRLING THUNDERWE ARE PREPARED FOR ANYTHING. THE SUN IS SETTING IN IOWA. SHOULD WE GET INTO THE WATER?

BLACK HAWKWASHTE! WE ARE BEGINNING WITH OUR STRONGEST WARRIORS. OUR ADVANCE SCOUTS HAVE NOT NOTICED ANY WHITES OR MILITIA WHO MAY AMBUSH OR ATTACK US. OUR SCOUTS HAVE CROSSED A FEW MILES TO THE NORTH AND I’VE SEEN THEM MOTIONING FROM ACROSS THE RIVER THAT ALL IS CLEAR.

WHIRLING THUNDERWE HAVE SOME BIRCH BARK CANOES BUT MOST ARE ELM LOG OPEN CANOES WHICH SEEM TO BE STURDIER.

BLACK HAWKI GAVE THE COMMAND. WE ARE ENTERING COLD WATER. OUR RETURN HAS BEGUN. WE WILL MEET INLAND OF THE MOUTH OF THE ROCK RIVER. IF ANY WHITE MAN OPPOSES OUR RETURN, THEN THEY ARE TO BE IMMEDIATELY SCALPED.

WHIRLING THUNDERBOTH OUR WAR AND CIVIL CHIEFS ARE PAINTED FOR WAR. OUR WARRIORS ARE PAINTED WITH WAR COLORS AND ARE

Paintings such as this reflect the fear among whites of the Indians

Apple River Fort

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Black Hawk

DRESSED APPROPRIATELY. THE CROSSING IS PROCEEDING WELL.

BLACK HAWKWELL WE ARE LAST. IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO ME WHIRLING THUNDER, YOU ARE THE NEW WAR CHIEF. YOU WILL BE BY TRIBAL CUSTOM MY REPLACEMENT AS THE SAUK WAR CHIEF.

WHIRLING THUNDERTHERE IS BUT ONE CANOE LEFT FOR US FATHER. SHOULD WE PADDLE?

BLACK HAWKYES, WE ARE ON OUR WAY AND WE WILL STAY BEHIND THE TRIBE. I’M KEEPING AN EYE OUT FOR AN ATTACK FROM THE REAR. THE ILLINOIS MILITIA UNDER GOVERNOR REYNOLDS IS QUITE SMART, EXPECTS OUR CROSSING, AND WILL DO ANYTHING TO CRUSH OUR SAUK TRIBE.

WHIRLING THUNDERI DON’T BELIEVE THE WHITE MAN IS THAT SMART. DO YOU MEAN THEY WILL ACTUALLY CROSS THE RIVER DOWNSTREAM AND TRAVEL BEHIND OUR TRIBE?

BLACK HAWKYES, THEY COULD COME FROM BEHIND IF NEED BE. THEY SAY I AM NOT TO BE TRUSTED. THE LATEST REPORT IS THEY SAID I SIGNED A TREATY JUNE 30, 1831 - LESS THAN ONE YEAR AGO. I NEVER COMPLETED THIS TREATY. AND IF I DID, NONE OF THE INDIANS FROM ANY TRIBE EVER RECEIVED THE MONEY THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT WAS TO HAVE GRANTED US ON A YEARLY BASIS.

WHIRLING THUNDERI’LL STAY IN BACK AND STEER THE CANOE. I CAN SEE OUR TRIBE GATHERING AT THE STREAM BED NORTH OF THE ROCK RIVER. IF WE ARE SIGHTED WE HEAD TOWARDS THE GALENA RIVER.

BLACK HAWKI’LL KEEP WATCHING TO OUR REAR. WE HAVE TWO BOWS, MANY ARROWS AND ARE WELL ARMED FOR AN ATTACK. WE CAN HEAR THE OWLS TALK, THE CURRENT FLOW AND DEER MOVE IF AN ATTACK IS IMMINENT. AS YOU GET OLDER, YOU BECOME WISER AND MORE IN TUNE WITH NATURE.

WHIRLING THUNDEROUR ELDERS SAY YOU MUST STAY IN TOUCH WITH NATURE - AS IT FOREBODES WHAT THE FUTURE WILL BRING. YOU MUST BECOME A GOOD INTERPRETER OF THE GREAT

Bad Axe Battle Marker

Wisconsin Heights

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Depiction of the Bad Axe battle scene

SPIRIT’S WORLD.

BLACK HAWKRIGHT NOW I SENSE THAT THIS WILL BE A QUIET LANDING ON THE OTHER SIDE.

WHIRLING THUNDERI CAN ALREADY SEE THAT THE ILLINOIS SIDE IS MORE LUSH, HAS BETTER COVER FOR ANIMALS LIKE DEER AND WOLVES, AND WILL HAVE MORE WATER FOR FISH.

BLACK HAWKYES THE ROCK RIVER BASIN IS OUR HOMELAND. IT IS THE MOST FERTILE OF ALL LANDS AND WILL BE OUR HOME FOREVER.

WHIRLING THUNDERWASHTE!

BLACK HAWKWASHTE!

aCt iii - re-eStaBLiShment oF homeLanD PortenDing the BattLe oF StiLLman’S rUn

time - maY 14, 1832

the Beginning oF the BLaCK haWK War in northern iLLinoiS.

WHIRLING THUNDERIT IS VERY GREEN ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE MISSISSIPPI. OUR TRIBE WILL HAVE MANY FEASTS.

BLACK HAWKSON, YOU WILL LEARN THAT GAME, FISH, AND THE SOIL WILL BRING HIGH YIELDS TO OUR TRIBE.

WHIRLING THUNDERI HAVE CAUGHT AT LEAST 100 BASS SO FAR THIS SPRING FROM THE ROCK AND GALENA RIVERS. I WILL TRY WITH SOME OTHER YOUNG BRAVES THE APPLE RIVER IN A COUPLE DAYS.

BLACK HAWKTHE APPLE RIVER CANYON IS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL AREA IN THE WORLD. IT HAS THE VERY BEST WATER AND IS DIFFICULT TO NAVIGATE AND ENTER DUE TO THE CLIFFS.

Gen E.P. Gaines

Gen Henry Atkinson

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Black Hawk

WHIRLING THUNDERYES, I’VE HEARD OTHERS TALK ABOUT THE MANY RIVERS AND STREAMS IN THE AREA THAT ALL FEED INTO THE MISSISSIPPI.

BLACK HAWKYES THERE ARE THE SUGAR, PECATONICA, AND LEAF RIVERS. THE SPECIFIC CREEKS ARE THE TURTLE, RICHLAND, AND YELLOW CREEKS. THERE ARE MANY MORE CREEKS WHICH YOU WILL BE CANOEING. THE ELM TREES ARE VERY DIFFICULT TO CARVE A DUGOUT FOR A CANOE, BUT THESE ELM CANOES ARE VERY STURDY - MUCH MORE SO THAN THE BIRCH BARK ALONG THE OUISCONSIN RIVER.

WHIRLING THUNDERAS FAR AS I CAN TELL WE HAVE PLENTY OF WATER TO CANOE. THE PLENTIFUL FISHING IS WHAT I REALLY ENJOY. WE DIDN’T HAVE NEARLY THIS MANY FISH OR VARIETY IN IOWA.

BLACK HAWKI’VE ENJOYED THE WONDERFUL HUNTING AGAIN. IOWA WAS GREAT FOR PHEASANT; HOWEVER THE DEER, RABBIT, AND SQUIRREL HAVE BEEN IN PAST YEARS VERY PLENTIFUL IN THE ROCK RIVER BASIN.

WHIRLING THUNDERWE DID COME UPON SOME WHITE MEN TODAY.

BLACK HAWKWHAT DID THEY DO?

WHIRLING THUNDERBOTH PARTIES STARED AT ONE ANOTHER.

BLACK HAWKSO THE WHITE MAN HAS OBVIOUSLY BY NOW HEARD AND ACTUALLY SEEN THAT WE HAVE RECLAIMED OUR LAND.

WHIRLING THUNDERSHOULD WE TAKE SCALPS FATHER?

BLACK HAWKNOT UNLESS PROVOKED.

WHIRLING THUNDERDO THE WHITE MEN KNOW WE WILL TAKE THEIR SCALPS?

BLACK HAWKTHE OLDER WHITE MEN KNOW. THEY WILL ONLY ATTACK WITH HIGH NUMBERS ON THEIR SIDE.

Bad Axe River as it appears today.

Lithograph from the middle 1800’s.

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Depiction of the Bad Axe battle scene

WHIRLING THUNDERSO WE ONLY AMBUSH IF WE ARE IN A WAR PARTY?

BLACK HAWKYES. THE WHITE SQUATTERS MAY LEAVE US ALONE. IT IS THE ILLINOIS MILITIA THAT I’M MOST WORRIED ABOUT. THEY WILL ATTACK ACCORDING TO ILLINOIS GOVERNOR REYNOLDS.

WHIRLING THUNDEROUR WOMEN AND CHILDREN SEEM SOMEWHAT ILL FATHER. HAVE YOU NOTICED ANYONE BECOMING SICK?

BLACK HAWKYES, THE CORN AND BEAN CROPS WERE VERY POOR LAST YEAR. OUR HUNTING HAS BEEN DECENT, BUT NOT ENOUGH TO SUPPLY THE TRIBE. WE NEED MORE FOOD. IT IS HARD TO TRANSPORT FISH.

WHIRLING THUNDEROUR YOUNG BRAVES CAN HUNT TOMORROW. WE HAVE BEEN TAUGHT NEW HUNTING SKILLS BY THE OLDER WARRIORS. MAYBE OUR YOUTH WILL BRING IN A HARVEST OF FOOD.

BLACK HAWKFOR YEARS THE ROCK RIVER BASIN SUPPLIED OUR TRIBE WITH MUCH FOOD. AND NOW IT HAS BECOME WEAKER BECAUSE OF THE WEATHER. IT APPEARS THE WHITE MAN HAS RAVAGED THE LAND AND ITS COVER. THE GAME ANIMALS AND THE FOWL HAVE LEFT. WE WILL NEED TO RESTORE THIS LAND TO WHAT IS ONCE WAS - WHAT THE GREAT SPIRIT INTENDED.

WHIRLING THUNDERWE SEE MANY FIELDS PLOWED OVER, FEW CROPS, AND EVEN THE MAPLE TREES HAVE SMALL YIELDS OF SYRUP.

BLACK HAWKYES I AGREE. SOME OF THIS IS THE DROUGHT, HOWEVER WHEN ONE ABUSES THE LAND THE GREAT SPIRIT REMINDS US THAT THE LAND WILL NOT YIELD FRUIT IN YEARS TO COME. WE NEED TO GET MORE FOOD FOR OUR TRIBE SO AS TO NOT BECOME MORE WEAKENED. WE NEED TO RESETTLE OUR OLD LANDS THAT GAVE OUR TRIBE MUCH FOOD FROM MANY SOURCES.

WHIRLING THUNDERSHOULD WE DO ANY TRADING FOR FOOD WITH THE WHITE SQUATTERS?

Historical Marker of the Battle

Captain Henry Gratiot

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Black Hawk

BLACK HAWKNO. THAT WOULD BE SURRENDERING. WE CANNOT COEXIST WITH THEIR ENGLISH PROPERTY LAWS. THEY WILL HAVE TO MOVE. IF IT WAS JUST THE WHITE MAN LIVING IN A SIMPLE CABIN OUR TRIBE COULD PEACEFULLY COEXIST AS WE DID WITH THE FRENCH, SPANISH, AND ENGLISH. BUT NOW WE HAVE THE ILLINOIS MILITIA AND PRESIDENT JACKSON’S DECREE WITH THE INDIAN REMOVAL ACT OF 1830. YES WE ARE IN A WAR.

WHIRLING THUNDERBUT IF IT COMES TO STARVING?

BLACK HAWKTHEN WE WILL ATTACK RATHER THAN ACQUIESCE. THE ILLINOIS MILITIA WILL AT BEST TAKE US AS PRISONERS OF WAR RATHER THAN ALLOW US TO PEACEFULLY COEXIST. ONCE THE CHOLERA EPIDEMIC IS OVER THEY WILL REGROUP, ATTACK, AND WE WILL BE IN A BATTLE FOR OUR TRIBE’S LIFE.

WHIRLING THUNDERWILL AN ATTACK BY US ON ANY WHITE MAN BRING THE ILLINOIS MILITIA?

BLACK HAWKIT MAY. HOWEVER THE ILLINOIS MILITIA IS SLOW. PRESENTLY ACCORDING TO OUR SCOUTS THEY ARE DEALING WITH SEVERE CHOLERA WITH MANY DEATHS AND ILLNESS. IT MAY BE MONTHS BEFORE REPLACEMENTS COME FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

WHIRLING THUNDERSO WE KEEP OCCUPYING THE LAND AND THEN WHAT?

BLACK HAWKI FEEL WE WILL BE AT WAR FOR SOME TIME. ALL WE CAN DO IS CONTINUE TO WIN SKIRMISHES, STRIKE FEAR INTO THE SQUATTERS AND INDIRECTLY IMPART LOW MORALS UPON THE ILLINOIS MILITIA. IF THE MILITIA DOESN’T BACK UP THE WHITE SQUATTERS THEN WE WILL WIN THIS WAR. THE SQUATTERS WILL NOT STAY IF THEY ARE NOT PROTECTED BY THE GOVERNMENT’S FORCES.

WHIRLING THUNDERSO WE ARE HEADING OVER TO AN AREA CALLED OLD MAN’S CREEK TODAY?

BLACK HAWKYES, THIS IS IN THE HEART OF THE ROCK RIVER BASIN. WE NEED FOOD AND WE WILL BEGIN OUR WAR TACTICS OF SURPRISE AND AMBUSH. WE MAY BE REQUIRED TO FIGHT

White Cloud

Shaman

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Depiction of the Bad Axe battle scene

AS THIS AREA HAS BEEN HEAVILY POPULATED BY WHITES. REMEMBER! IF PROVOKED WE ATTACK AND AIM FOR THE SCALP.

WHIRLING THUNDERWE WILL GATHER OUR WAR PARTY SHORTLY AND TRAVEL ALONG THE RIVER, LOOKING FOR CROPS AND ALSO GAME. IF WE ARE CONFRONTED WE WILL ATTACK UNLESS THE WHITE MEN LEAVE.

BLACK HAWKWE ARE ON OUR WAY WITH OUR WAR PARTY. WE HAVE A FEW MILES TO TRAVEL. IF WE ARE CONFRONTED WE WILL ATTACK PER PLAN. OUR SCOUTS ARE TWO MILES AHEAD AND WILL REPORT BACK IF WE COME INTO CONTACT WITH ANY WHITES.

WHIRLING THUNDERI KNOW FATHER YOU HAVE TRIED IN VAIN PREVIOUSLY TO NEGOTIATE FOR YOUR INDIAN CONFEDERACY OF TRIBES AND IT HAS NOT WORKED. SHOULD WE GIVE IT ONE MORE TRY IF WE ARE CONFRONTED BY THE MILITIA?

BLACK HAWKNO, I DON’T TRUST THE WHITE MAN. OUR SCOUTS REPORT THAT THE ILLINOIS MILITIA UNDER STILLMAN AND ATKINSON ARE HEADING OUR WAY.

WHIRLING THUNDERSO WE WILL GO TO WAR TODAY?

BLACK HAWKYES. WE HAVE 600 WARRIORS WITH US. MANY MORE ARE COMING. THE FOX AND POTAWATOMI TRIBES ARE SUPPORTING US NOW. MANY MORE MAY JOIN IF WE CAN BREED SOME SUCCESS AGAINST THE ILLINOIS MILITIA.

WHIRLING THUNDERLOOK, OUR SCOUTS ARE SIGNALING THE MILITIA IS UPON US. WHAT DO WE DO?

BLACK HAWKFOLLOW ME. WE WILL SURROUND THE MILITIA, AND THEN ATTACK FROM ALL SIDES AS THEY SCATTER. I WILL GIVE THE SIGNAL.

WHIRLING THUNDERTHE ILLINOIS MILITIA HAS ABOUT 3OO MEN WITH MUSKETS AND HORSES.

Keokuk

Fort Armstrong

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Black Hawk

BLACK HAWKYES, WE SHOULD EASILY TAKE SOME SCALPS TODAY. I THINK THEY HAVE SPOTTED US. THEY MAY ATTACK SOON.

WHIRLING THUNDERSO SHOULD WE ATTACK NOW BEFORE THEY ORGANIZE FURTHER?

BLACK HAWKABSOLUTELY. GIVE THE WAR CRY WHIRLING THUNDER.

WHIRLING THUNDERWE ARE OFF. OUR WARRIORS ARE ATTACKING FROM ALL SIDES. THE MILITIA IS SURPRISED AND FLEEING IN ALL DIRECTIONS. SOME ARE HEADING THIS WAY.

BLACK HAWKHIDE BEHIND THESE ROCKS AND WE WILL JUMP THEM ON THEIR WAY THROUGH THIS VALLEY PASS. THE REST OF OUR WARRIORS WILL DROWN THEM IN OLD MAN’S CREEK.

WHIRLING THUNDERI’VE GOT A SCALP. HE DIDN’T PUT UP MUCH OF A FIGHT. I WANT MORE.

BLACK HAWKI THINK THAT IS IT FOR NOW. WE HAVE CLAIMED 12 SCALPS. WE HAVE LOST 3 BRAVES HOWEVER.

WHIRLING THUNDERTHAT WAS QUICK.

BLACK HAWKYES, MOST WAR BATTLES DON’T LAST LONG. THE WINNER USUALLY STRIKES FIRST AND VERY HARD. WE DID WELL. WE WILL NOW HEAD UPSTREAM ON THE ROCK RIVER. I FEEL WE WILL FIND BETTER FOOD SOURCES FURTHER NORTH.

WHIRLING THUNDERWASHTE! MY FIRST SCALP.

BLACK HAWKWASHTE!

Historical Marker, “Red Bird’s Village”

Pecatonic Battle Site